Two new surveys indicate consumer and business confidence is on the rise despite the recession.
The Bank of New Zealand survey shows 36% of respondents think the economy is going to get better over the coming year, while 42% think it will get worse.
BNZ chief economist Tony Alexander said a net 6% of respondents think the economy is going to get worse over the coming year, an improvement over the net 40% of four weeks earlier.
Mr Alexander said the improvement in sentiment can be attributed in part to falling interest rates and lower petrol prices.
The latest Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence Rating rose 5.9 points to 105.6, the highest reading since September and before that, March.
